Eight weeks ago SK traveled to Henry Clay and came away with a thrilling victory. Tonight's game had a bit more significance but a very similiar outcome, this time SK survived a late HC rally, winning 21-19.
On Simon's first drive they moved deep into Devils territory but on a fourth down passing play Chad Lawrence was picked off and the Devils returned the interception to the SK eithteen. The SK defense, with their backs against a wall held strong turning the Devils over on downs.
After trading punts, HC took control of field possession, starting their first scoring drive on the Neers' thirty-six. It took three plays for them to reach paydirt, scoring on a 20yd TD pass with 10:34 left in the 2nd. HC 7; SK 0
The offense failed to gain a first down but DJ Rabe pinned the Devils at their own one after booming a sixty yard punt. The SK defense then forced a Clay punt from their own end zone, and SK was back in business at the Clay forty. Lawrence then rushed twice totaling 16 yards, then the Sr signal caller hooked up with Zach Carroll for a 24 yard score with 4:07 left in the half. The score was tied at seven.
Again the "D" held and Clay had to punt once again, and just like the last drive the Neers didn't miss a beat. Starting at their own 36 yard line they came out throwing. Lawrence hit Winkler for thirty-six, then Wetter ran for 11 yards. On the next play Lawrence hit Rabe for a 22 yard TD, SK took a 14-7 lead, the half ended with that same score.
The 2nd half opened with a squib kick that was recovered by SK at the Clay 38. This time the drive took five plays, on the fifth play Matt Reilly caught a five yard score from Lawrence, the lead was now fourteen.
HC didn't flinch, moving the ball seventy-two yards on fourteen plays. QB Vinny Miller ran it in from the 17 but the extra point failed, and that would end up being a huge miss. 4:40 left in the third, SK 21; HC 13
Clay intercepted a Lawrence pass late in the third but sophomore Jared Swanson answered with a pick of his own near the goal line, another defensive stop. Things started to get real interesting when SK fielded a Clay punt at the 4:56 mark. At this point HC had one timeout left so it appeared SK had a chance to win the game with no suspense but we weren't that fortunate. SK drove the ball 32 yards but faced a 4th and one. Lawrence handed off to Austin Baldwin but #36 was stopped short of moving the chains, Clay had the ball on their own 28. The Devils pushed the ball to midfield and after a pass interference call on the Neers the ball was marked at the SK thirty-eight. Vinny Miller then went untouched for the score but some yellow laundry was tossed, this time the Devils were called for holding. With the ball at the HC 49 yard line, Miller ran for four yards and HC called their last timeout. Miller then hit Blake Green for forty-nine yards, suddenly it was first and goal at the two. Miller took the next snap into the end zone, setting up the play of the game. Due to the previous mentioned missed extra point they were forced to go for the duece. Parker Deters dropped Miller short of the goal but the clock still showed ten seconds remaining.
The Devils had one more chance with the on-side kick but the ball went out of bounds preserving the Pioneer victory. When the final stats were announced, it was obvious the defense played well. They were able to hold the Devils to a season low 217 yards while holding the explosive HC offense (40ppg average) twenty-one points under their average. With the win SK advance to their third straight region final, their opponent, the Ryle Raiders. The game will be in Union on Friday night, and make sure you get there early since this will be the game of the week in Northern Kentucky and one of the premier matchups in the state.
SIMON KENTON SPORTS NEWS
